For the Newlyweds

How's life treating you? For me, I was a bit under the weather. How do allergies hit you in the middle of July? Well, they hit me big time! So, I had to get juiced up on some meds so my nose and head could feel regular again! Let's hope it works SOON!

I made this card a couple weeks ago for my cousin, but still have not sent it. Why I do this I have no clue! Anyway, I used some new Stampin' Up! stamps (but they came out earlier this year). Love that big flower and how you can create a simple, graphic background. I used colors I saw photographed at the wedding since I did not attend.

Have you remembered to vote in the Gallery Idol contest? Well, don't forget.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Card Instructions

1. Trim kiwi kiss cardstock into an A2 card.
2. Stamp floral background.
3. Stamp sentiment and add hodgepodge hardware.
4. Add ribbon.
5. Corner round the edges.

:: My Goodies {For the Newlyweds} ::
Stamps: Stampin' Up! - fifth avenue floral + teeny tiny wishes
Ink: Stampin' Up! - chocolate chip; Papertrey Ink - vintage cream
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - vintage cream; Stampin' Up! - kiwi kiss

Accessories: Stampin' Up! - hodgepodge hardware; Craft Supply - sheer ribbon; EK Success - corner rounder
Card Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Love

Hey there everyone! How was your Monday? I enjoyed viewing the Gallery Idol cards for this week's round! The "Around the House" theme was interpreted in many ways and it was great to see that. If you haven't gotten the chance to vote for your favorite card this week, make sure you hop over to do that!

This is a card I made with a few new goodies I purchased recently at the Great American Scrapbook Convention.

Last night, I got my first look at the photos from the wedding we photographed on Saturday. I can't wait to share a few with you. They are so fun, colorful, and bright!

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your day!

Card Instructions

1. Trim vanilla cardstock into an A2 card.
2. Using a word processor, type sentiment and print.
   
3. Trim berry sorbet cardstock into a rectangle and stamp damask background.
4. Add felt ribbon, tie grosgrain ribbon into a bow, then add flowers.
5. Stamp sentiment and add silver hardware.

:: My Goodies {Love} ::
Stamps: Papertrey Ink - damask designs; Melissa Frances
Ink: Stampin' Up! - chocolate chip
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - vintage vanilla + berry sorbet

Accessories: Stampin' Up! - hodgepodge hardware; Creative Imaginations - felt ribbon; Craft Supply - grosgrain ribbon; Prima - flowers
Card Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Gallery Idol :: King of the Grill

Hey there! It's Monday and that means it is time for another week of Gallery Idol! Thanks to everyone who voted for me last week because I am a top 15 finalist!! I was really excited to read the news on Friday, but also nervous again because this week's theme is "Around the House." What on earth was I going to create for that? I rarely if ever make cards for a house theme. As I shared on yesterday's video, I had to find a stamp that fit my style and create something. Since it's July and the perfect BBQ season, I thought to use a common backyard home appliance, a charcoal barbecue grill and design a card for the "King of the Grill." It is a simple design, but is perfect for the master griller, for a birthday or just a thank you note after being invited to a cookout. I used the rolling grass hills to create the backyard concept on blue cardstock to get the outdoor feeling. Did it work?

Well, what are you waiting for? Head on over to Paper Crafts Gallery Idol contest page and vote! You are limited to ONE vote this week, so make sure it is for the card you think deserves it the most! Also, you can use your same username and password from last week. If you are new to voting this week, create a username and password, then login to vote! It's just that easy!

Thanks for stopping by today and enjoy the rest of your day!

Card Instructions

1. Trim spring rain cardstock into an A2 card.
2. Trim patterned paper into curvy strips to fit card front.
3. Distress edges of patterned paper and adhere to card front.
4. Stamp grill on card front and red cardstock. Add brads as wheels.
   
5. Cut circular part of grill from red cardstock and adhere to card front with foam adhesive.
6. Stamp sentiment.
7. Stitch border on card front.

:: My Goodies {King of the Grill} ::
Stamps: The Cat's Pajamas - Smokin' Barbecue + King of the Grill
Ink: Stampin' Up! - black
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - spring rain + pure poppy

Patterned Paper: Die Cuts With a View - Garden Party matstack
Accessories: Creative Memories - curvy trimmer; Tim Holtz - paper distresser; Janome Sew Mini; Black Thread, brads;
Card Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

VLOG :: New Craft Goodies (AGAIN)

It's really not a good thing that I have more new craft goodies to share with you, but I had to go get something to make my Gallery Idol card for tomorrow. I had an idea to make a BBQ grill card, so off I went searching for a grill stamp at Angela's Happy Stamper. I'm so glad I found one! The card is made, so make sure you check back tomorrow (around 2pm EST) when the contest is open for voting again!

Here's a video of the new craft goods I picked up today. E-mail subscribers, click here to view the video. Thanks for stopping by and watching!

Want some Beautiful Cards magazines? Feel free to stop here to win some FREE!

Recycle

Hey Everyone! It's the weekend and I'm so thrilled. So today I wanted to share the other not-so-fast card I made the other night. I was inspired by the Moxie Fab World's, It's All Green to Me challenge. You can see the the challenge pool at Flickr here. There are some great eco-friendly cards out there. You don't have to have a 'green' stamp set, just make something up. I used chipboard letters, metal, twine, and patterned paper - all from my 'old' stash!

Yesterday, as I was posting a "Happy B-day" to my high school friend's Facebook wall, I got the idea that it would be nice to 'send' a card. The problem is I do not have her address. The world has reconnected through social networks and so I thought of a way to use it to my advantage to share my cards. I 'sent' her a card by attaching a photo of yesterday's card! I hope she got the idea, but I think that is such a cool eco-friendly way to send cards. (1) You give a card (2) You save postage (3) You can re-use the card to others. Although number (3) may sound like re-gifting, I think for the social networking aspect it can pass the test. You can also do this with Twitter, by attaching a TwitPic. What do you think? Send a card to your friends you social network with via a photo. Is that corny? :)

Enjoy your weekend and thanks for stopping by!

Card Instructions

1. Trim dark chocolate cardstock into an A2 card.
2. Trim patterned paper to fit card front.
3. Stamp branch, leaves and bird.
4. Stamp sentiment, cut, and adhere.
5. Add key hole and tie twine.
6. Adhere chipboard.
7. Ink patterned paper and adhere to card front

:: My Goodies {recycle} ::
Stamps: Papertrey Ink - simple alphabet; Technique Tuesday - fall on me
Ink: Quick Quotes - amaretto powder puff; ColorBox - chestnut roan; Stampin' Up! - chocolate chip
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - dark chocolate + kraft

Patterned Paper: Anna Griffin - sierra collection
Accessories: Tim Holtz - key hole; Basic Grey - piper milk chocolate micro chip stickers; Heidi Swapp - chipboard letters
Card Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Friday to you! I intended to make a fast card, but instead I made this card and another, which turned out to be not-so-fast! I hate when that happens. When I want to design somethng elaborate, it comes out simple and fast. I guess that is the way the cookie crumbles sometimes.

In response to Travelingmama's Traveler's Inspiration Challenge, I created this sparkly card. I used some glitter and seed bee'd to cover the chipboard flowers. That stuff is MESSY! I tried to contain as much of the glitter as possible on cardstock, but it still got all over me, the floor, and the desk! Forget saving the remaining unused portions, it's just easier to toss it to stay clean! So, I pour just a small portion out to be able to cover the chipboard and that's it. If you need more, then add a bit more, but that's the best way without funneling it back into the container.

So, what's going on this weekend for you? We will be photographing a wedding! Our first ever! We're really excited and nervous. I'm sure it will be beautiful because the bride and groom are so cute and the venue is breathtaking. It's already making me think about our happy wedding. Of course I'll share a link to some of the photos when they are done. My job is to assist Mr. Mac (LOL) on photographing the details. So, I get to focus on flowers, rings, dress, program, shoes, and anything symbolic. My shots will be similar to how I photograph my cards and what I know best. I'm still learning so I need to focus on still objects! I'll be using my nifty 50mm lens and my Canon xTi. You don't have to use a mega DSLR to get great shots. I think it's in the lens and the light myself. The best part is, the wedding is outdoors. Gotta love natural light!

I hope to be able to celebrate my friend's 30th birthday on Saturday night. It will be much needed after a long day of photography.

Enjoy your weekend and thanks for stopping by.

Card Instructions

1. Trim hibiscus burst cardstock into an A2 card.
2. Trim kraft cardstock to fit the card front.
3. Trim patterned papers using curvy trimmer and adhere to card front with foam adhesive.
4. Cover chipboard with seed bee'd and glitter.
5. Add chipboard to card front in front and behind patterned paper.
6. Stamp sentiment.

:: My Goodies {happy birthday to you} ::
Stamps: Papertrey Ink - damask designs
Ink: Papertrey Ink - raspberry fizz
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - kraft + hibiscus burst

Patterned Paper: DCWV - Garden Party
Accessories: Stampin' Up! - so tweet chipboard; Creative Memories - curvy trimmer; Stix 2 Anything - pink, gold, green seed bee'd + glitter; foam adhesive
Card Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Just Because

Happy Thursday to you all! I created this card mainly using patterned paper. I have been doing a lot of stamping before, but now I like to add patterned paper to the cards. I find it much faster to have to only stamp the sentiment! I just realized that this card has the same sentiment (different stamp) and a butterfly similar to yesterday's card. They are vastly different designs, but odd that I was drawn to some of the same elements.

So, last night I opened my Janome Sew Mini, set it up and started stitching. I made sure that my adhesive was applied only to the center, not the edges. There are a few stitches that are not in a straight line, but for the most part, I picked up where I left off on my sewing technique.

Yesterday, I mentioned that I would wait until I got to CHA to make some Papertrey Ink purchases. Well, somehow I forgot to mention to you all that I am going to be at the CHA Super Show! I'm really excited to do lots of shopping, but better yet meeting some of you! It looks like a lot of paper crafters will be there and of course tons of vendors too! I can't wait! So, if you are going to CHA, leave a comment and let me know. I'd like to meet each of you there. McArthur will be coming to keep me company, take pictures (of my experience and to share who I met), and carry the goodies I load up on! Wait, it sounds like he has a list of to-dos while there, right?!

The voting for Gallery Idol is officially over (for this week's session anyway). Thank you to all of those who voted for me/my card. I really appreciate it. On Friday, they will announce the top 15 winners who will be moving on to the next round. I'm all nervous and excited waiting for Friday to arrive.

Thanks so much for your comments yesterday on the video blog (VLOG). I enjoy talking to you and hope to share more soon. Last night, I also arranged my video camera set up to record how-to videos on cards and such. So, it looks like a "Watch Me Wednesday" video should be coming very soon.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Card Instructions

1. Trim aqua mist cardstock into an A2 card.
2. Trim patterned paper and lemon tart cardstock and adhere together (only add adhesive to the center, not edges to prevent adhesive from sticking to sewing machine needle).
3. Add green ribbon, then tie berry sorbet ribbon into a bow.
4. Adhere cardstock to card front (only add adhesive to the center).
5. Stitch around border.
6. Trim patterned paper, scallop edge punch, then adhere to card front.
7. Stamp sentiment.
8. Cut butterfly from patterned paper and adhere.
9. Ink edges of card.

:: My Goodies {just because} ::
Stamps: Papertrey Ink - damask designs
Ink: Stampin' Up! - chocolate chip; Quick Quotes - amaretto powder puff
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - berry sorbet + lemon tart

Patterned Paper: DCWV - Garden Party
Accessories: Stampin' Up! - scallop edge punch; Papertrey Ink - berry sorbet ribbon; Janome Sew Mini; thread; Offray - green decorative trim/ribbon
Card Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Just Because Butterflies + VLOG

Already Hump Day! That's what I'm talking about! :) Have you ever seen a card design and think, "I wanna try that?" Well, that's what I've said when I have seen similar butterfly card designs. I like my Martha Stewart butterfly punch (yep, I have two)! So, I stamped a design, then punch them out. I wanted a bit of pizazz, so I added some fun beads to the center. The colors were inspired by Loonie Stampers Challenge. Since I do not have PTI's scarlet jewel (yet, because I'm waiting to go to CHA), I used ColorBox chianti and wine ribbon (from my wedding stash). I think the colors are close enough. I would have never selected this color combo and still do not know what to think of it, but glad I tried something new.

Speaking of trying something new, I am training myself how to edit videos on the iMac using iMovie. Yep, you heard that right, videos. I will soon start my videos up again. They should be a lot easier for me to edit and upload. So, very soon expect to see videos again. I did post a fun "here's what I got" craft supply video last night. Wanna watch it? You can here. But, I will warn you, I'm a bit goofy! I am not used to staring at a camera lens, especially when you can see yourself on a HUGE 24-inch screen!!

Card Instructions

1. Trim aqua mist cardstock into an A2 card.
2. Stamp damask background on ripe avocado cardstock.
3. Punch butterflies and set aside.
4. Trim lemon tart cardstock to fit on aqua mist card front.
5. Create scallop edge using a slot punch on ripe avocado cardstock and adhere to lemon tart cardstock.
6. Add ribbon and adhere cardstock to card front.
7. Adhere butterflies, add beads to the center, and stamp sentiment.

:: My Goodies {just because} ::
Stamps: Stampin' Up! - friends 24-7; Papertrey Ink - mixed messages
Ink: ColorBox - chianti
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - aqua mist + lemon tart + ripe avocado
Accessories: Paper Mart - wine satin ribbon; Martha Stewart - butterfly punch; Stampin' Up! - slot punch; Stix 2 Anything - red seed bee'd
Card Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

New Days Ease Sorrow

Inspired by Dawn's color challenge, so I created this card. At first, it seemed impossible. I decided to use the colors in minimal ways as opposed to bold versions. I did not have soft stone, so I used SU! going gray, which is almost the same color. Looking at the card, you may think that the pink and green are not raspberry fizz and new leaf, but they are. I colored the stamp in using those inks and my blender pen, which is how I achieved a softer hue of those shades.

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to vote in the Gallery Idol contest today! Enjoy!

Card Instructions

1. Trim going gray cardstock into an A2 card.
2. Stamp flower on card front (stamp a portion of the stamp again).
3. Using a blender pen and ink, color in flower stamp.
4. Stamp sentiment.
5. Trim raspberry fizz cardstock and adhere.
6. Add ribbon.

:: My Goodies {New Days Ease Sorrow} ::
Stamps: Stampin' Up! - flower fancy; Papertrey Ink - with sympathy
Ink: Close to My Heart - black; Papertrey Ink - new leaf + raspberry fizz
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - raspberry fizz; Stampin' Up! - going gray
Accessories: Stampin' Up!-blender pen; Papertrey Ink - true black ribbon
Card Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Newlywed Monogram

It's time for this week's Gallery Idol contest. The theme is weddings. I always enjoy making wedding cards. My favorite is this cake card, but now I like to incorporate an elegant style. When making wedding cards, I like to personalize them, typically by using the wedding colors. You can get an idea of wedding colors by analyzing the invitation most times. Here, I wanted to take it a step further and add a monogram. At weddings, many couples use a monogram of their names together, so I wanted to display that in a card. Who doesn't like to see their name?!

So, please hop on over to Paper Crafts Gallery Idol contest and check out all of those fabulous wedding cards, then vote for your favorite! Have fun!

Card Instructions

1. Trim vintage vanilla cardstock into a square card.
2. Stamp damask background in watermark ink.
3. Brush perfect pearls on card front.
4. Die cut and emboss label.
5. Stamp design, monogram, and sentiment.
6. Add ribbon, then adhere label.
   

:: My Goodies {monogrammed newlyweds} ::
Stamps: Papertrey Ink - ambassador monogram + simple alphabet; Stampin' Up! - friends 24-7 + teeny tiny wishes
Ink: versamark
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - vintage vanilla
Accessories: Ranger - bronze perfect pearls; Spellbinders - labels 4 die; Provo Craft - cuttlebug; Rusty Pickle - sheer bronze ribbon; Prima - flowers
Card Size: 5.55" x 5.5"

thank you

Hey there! How was your holiday weekend? Mine was fabulous, but now I feel like I need a vacation. We worked most of our holiday, but it was a fun type of work. Check out some photos on Mac's flickr page. I have a few fun photos on my Facebook page. I'll add them to my flickr page soon.

Yesterday, I had to make a card on a whim. I'm such a procrastinator, but it seems that most times, I work well under tight deadlines/pressure. So, don't forget to stop back by later this afternoon. I will add information on this week's Gallery Idol contest and show the wedding card that is up for voting! So excited (and super nervous)! I don't know how I am going to last these next few days!


Thanks for visiting. Enjoy your day!

Card Instructions

1. Trim spring moss cardstock into an A2 card.
2. Trim patterned papers and adhere together.
3. Corner round the top right corner and adhere to card front.
4. Add chipboard stickers.
5. Stamp bird, color, then adhere with foam adhesive.
6. Corner round the top right edge of card front.
   

:: My Goodies {thank you} ::
Stamps: pink paislee - spring fling
Ink: Stampin' Up!- chocolate chip
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - spring moss
Patterned Paper: DCWV - green stack recycled paper collection
Accessories: Stampin' Up!-markers; EK Success - corner rounder; Basic Grey-offbeat chipboard alphabet stickers
Card Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Hero :: Independence Day

Happy Independence Day! Do you have any plans? Food, Fireworks, and Fun are what the 4th of July is to me summed up in three words! I thought I'd share a 'star' card with you. I hope you enjoy yours. I am excited about returning home and eating some crabs. I am originally from Maryland and eating crabs is a must during summer months, especially on holidays. If I could find good some in the winter, I'd eat them then too. Yes, I am talking about the entire crab. I really do not like crab legs because I am so used to eating the entire crab. Most people who are not from the area do not have an appreciation for crabs. It does take a lot of time to get just a little bit of meat, but it's fun, tasty, and a social gathering food. I could eat crabs alone, but it's much more fun outside with newspaper on the table and family and friends digging in. There is definitely a technique to eating crabs and I have my own. I've been eating them since a child, so I prefer my hands. The tools slow me down! I may post a picture of it so you all can get an idea of what it's like! Look for that tomorrow. It may be a twitpic.

I hope you are enjoying your holiday weekend! Thanks for taking time out of your day to take a peek here!

Card Instructions

1. Trim kraft cardstock into an A2 card.
2. Using a word processor, type sentiment and print.Trim dark chocolate cardstock and patterned paper into matted squares.
   
3. Distress edges of patterned paper, add faux stitching, and adhere to dark chocolate cardstock.
4. Adhere chipboard letters to patterned paper.
5. Paper piece chipboard stars with cardstock. Stamp design on some stars, ink the edges, then adhere.
6. Tie twine around cardstock and add buttons.
7. Adhere cardstock to card front.
8. Stamp stars on inside of card and add faux stitching.

:: My Goodies {Hero...That's what you are to me} ::
Stamps: Papertrey Ink - background basics (retro); Art Warehouse - journal; Verve Visual - seeing stars
Ink: Close to My Heart - cranberry; Stampin' Up! - chocolate chip; Quick Quotes - amaretto powder puff
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - kraft + dark chocolate + pure poppy + spring rain + ripe avocado

Patterned Paper: Melissa Frances - alma
Accessories: Martha Stewart - baker's twine; Heidi Swapp - chipboard stars; Stampin' Up! - real red marker; Basic Grey - milk chocolate chipboard letters; Craft Suppy - buttons; Tim Holtz - paper distresser
Card Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Make a Wish

Happy Friday! This card is sort of a fast card because it is a case of another card. When you case a card, you can make it so much faster than if you had to think of the layout and supplies, then create it. I did make some changes to it, such as add the velvet scallop trim, tag, and pins. The original card is posted here. I had so much fun making the first card, I had to make another.

We're enjoying New Orleans (as you can see in my tweets)! Today, we went to the lower ninth ward to photograph Susan G. Komen giving a 'big check' to the only health clinic within the area (since hurricane Katrina). Tomorrow we'll be at the festival and then of course there's the concert! Can't wait!

Enjoy your holiday weekend! Thanks so much for stopping by.

Card Instructions

1. Trim smokey shadow cardstock into an A2 card.
2. Trim patterned papers to 4" x 5.25" and adhere together.
3. Tie ribbons around (first grey ribbon, then purple ribbon into a bow).
4. Adhere to card front.
5. Stamp sentiment on cardstock sticker and adhere to card front with foam adhesive.
   

:: My Goodies {Make a Wish} ::
Stamps: Papertrey Ink - mixed messages
Ink: Papertrey Ink - smokey shadow
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink -smokey shadow
Patterned Paper: SEI Bridgeport collection
Accessories: SEI- ribbon + rub-on flowers on the tag (Bridgeport collection); Creative Imaginations - velvet purple scalloped edge trim
Card Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

With Sympathy

Hey Everyone!  How is it going?  This is a case of my own card.  I did change it up a bit.  The card size is smaller and the color combination is different.  The original design is here.  

Today, we are on our way to New Orleans to the Essence Music Festival.  We will be capturing the events and Susan G. Komen's Circle of Promise presence.  We hope to see lots of celebrities and be excused to photograph them with our media passes!  I think that's a perfect way to camoflauge the reason why you're taking their picture.  Just maybe I can sneak in and join them in a few shots too! :)  heeyyy why not?!  What I am looking forward to is blackened alligator, red beans and rice, double chocolate bread pudding, and of course a hurricane!  Oh yeah, I forgot about the music...we'll listen to that too!

Don't forget to follow my tweets through the weekend to see what we're up to!

Enjoy yourself today and thanks for visiting!

Card Instructions

1. Trim melon berry cardstock to an A2 card.
2. Trim guidelines cardstock and stamp guidelines pattern.
3. Stamp flourish on top left corner of card front.
4. Adhere guidelines cardstock.
5. Corner round the edges.
6. Tie ribbon into a bow and add trinket pins.
7. Stamp sentiment.

:: My Goodies {With Sympathy}::

Stamps: Papertrey Ink - with sympathy + guidelines 2 + out on a limb

Ink: Papertrey Ink - ocean tides + melon berry + lemon tart; Stampin' Up!-chocolate chip
Cardstocks: Papertrey Ink - melon berry + guidelines 
Accessories: Papertrey Ink- lemon tart ribbon; EK Success - Corner Rounder

Card Size: 3.75" x 5.5"